To celebrate my husband's retirement, we are taking 6 to 8 months off and heading to Europe for a big ADVENTURE. We have caravanned before ( about 10 years ago but our van was stolen) and would really appreciate any advice you can give us. We have bought the caravan and hope to set off after Christmas. Best routes South, areas to visit on the way - we are in no hurry!!- we are keen walkers with one springer spaniel, places to avoid, what to pack etc. Sorry if this is already on this forum but even pointing out the best maps would be good. We have joined the caravan club and are insured with them.
Thanks
------------- Immac
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
What a great scheme. Hope you have a good trip, and post when you get back!
Going South through France in January, you will find that only a few campsites are open all year, compared with the number open in season. It's worth searching for some and taking a list of likely ones with you. In the Michelin campsite guide, they used to underline the names of towns with sites open all year on the map section. You could use this to plan a route.
In Spain, campsite fees are greatly reduced for long stays, but you might want to do more touring. If so, it would be worth looking at Camping Cheques, or the ACSI card scheme.
If you are taking the dog, intending to return to the UK, make sure you don't venture into any countries not in the pet passport scheme, or you won't be able to bring the dog back to the UK without quarantine.
Thanks for your replies. I will be in touch "La Touche" when we have booked the ferry.
At present, we hope to park up for a month or so at a time near national parks and explore these at leisure with the occasional city trip. For this first venture in a caravan for a long time, we intend to be cautious and hope to get to Andalucia, Portugal, Northern Spain, Pyrennees, Italian Lakes then Eastern parts of France and possibly Holland.
We have no time limits really but what I wondered was, had anyone done similar, ie taken time out to travel for an extended period and could they share their recommendations with "newbies". I am assured there are lots of folk who are doing it, so come on, where would you want to visit again. For me, it has to be the Tarn Gorge, visited for two weeks Easter 2005, great walking and fabulous scenery.
------------- Immac
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Welcome to the site.
You write that you are keen walkers. Pyrenees, Massif Central and Vercors are perfect for that. But do mind the trick weather from november on. E.g in the massif central you can start of with 24 centigrade and come back in the snow. I did experience that.
Not necessarily a problem if you are wll prepared, but a bit more difficult if not equipped well enough as to clothing and when taking one of those perfectly indicated walking routes (e.g. of Chamina in Auvergne, guides well available in the bookshops), as some marking ar eon stones and can be covered by snow. Not all of course, many on trees and rockwalls, but some on the path. Plus that afterwards you often have to drive back: the pass/road you took arriving at your starting point may now be in snow. And many smaller passes in those areas are not part of a guarded system that closes passes in case of snowfall.
If you have that in mind: these are magnificent areas for walking.
I agree with Wlee, the Auvergen is terrific. We spent two weeks at Camping de la filature in Ebreuill last June and it was fab. The owner cooks each night and for a total of 20 euros a night we had our pitch and a cooked meal for each of us! The area is outstanding, all lakes and volcanoes and gorges with easy driving between places. I would thoroughly recommend you spend some time here during your travels.
I have also travelled extensively throughout Austria, you've gotta go! The scenery is out of this world, it isn't usually busy on the roads, the food is great and it is an all round clean, friendly, organised country.
By the way, about Auvergne, there is a wintercamping in Super Besse, the winterstation of Besse en Chandesse, more or less on the slope of the Sancy. The Sancy has two ski-able sides, the other sides (and of course other mountains) are more for walking. There also is a winterstation Chambon des Neiges, a bit to the Valle du Chaudefour (as the name says with a spring in it, the Source St. Anne), the latter being a reserve and magnificent slopes for walking.
------------- WL
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Some great ideas there, we will definitely put these on our list. We passed the Auvergne ( a quick stop ) on the way South to the Tarn and thought it deserved a closer lok. Being a bit nervous of towing in the mountains to begin with, how can I ensure before I set off that the route is passable? Motorways do not make the best routes for scenery and nature.
Once again, thanks for your suggestions so far. The shape of the route is beginning to take place but we have paid notice to your suggestions so far and are open to any more!
> how can I ensure before I set off that the route is passable <
Auvergne is not really difficult towing in the mountains. You can enter from good roads from various sides of the compass. So you always can approach via a fairly low route, slowly upwards a bit untill you rach your destination.
From the north you can thake the motorway up to Clermont Frreand and from there e.g. direction Le Mont Dore, la Bourboule etc. Or from ther further towards Bort les orgues and the somewhere turn east. This route also is a good secondary route to the Cantal area, well maintained, not too high, not that sensitive to snow, I suspect. Just far enough away from the mountain.
Going via the East is well possible too. From Clermont Ferrand continu the motorway, e.g. up to Issoire and than turn west towards St Nectaire. Or go a bit lower. By the way the area east of this motorway apparently is beautiful too, but I have not been there yet.
Via this route you can also turn westward later, e.g. St Flour, where you get near the Cantal area.
Plus this motorway leads you further south to the tarn/Cevennes area and towards the mediterranean and Pyrenees if you want too.
So don't worry too much, this area is fairly accessible.
Roads are well maintained. The towns/villages have to be accessible, so snow is cleared fairly fast. After all it's not Austria, it's a lower type of mountains. That's exactly one of the attractive points. The possibility to make good mountain walks and see all streaks of the compass.
I usually stay at around 800 to 1000 mtrs height.
Mountains overthere reach to 1850 mtrs. Many nice walks around that height already and a bit higher, say 1200, 1400, 1500 mtrs. Plan your walking routes involving e.g. 300 or 400 mtrs low-high difference in height (indicated in the Chamina walking guides, in French, I admit). More if you are up to it).
It is when you are touring around, but not really when towing. The mountains are in fact very much inthe centre and most places are around it, and therefore can easily be reached. Only Super besse would go up a bit, but the roads is well maintained adn a campsite and wintersports station makes no sense if the road is not cleared fast enough in case of snow.
Plan you next day towing aith reasonable weather to be sure.
I suppose it is mainly a matter of bringing snow chains if you are in those regions during winter.
As to the pass-experience: we were based in Le Mont Dore in a small hotel, at the foot of the Sancy and were walking on the other side of a mountain ridge (Volcanic flow make mountainchains/ridges) actually a walk from Lac Chambon. So actually we went from one valley to another. There are several valleys positiones start-shaped around the Sancy, all different in character. If raining in one valley, the other one may well be in sunshine, the rain being caught away by the mountainridge in between.
From Le Mont Dore to lac Chambon the local route leads across a fairly low pass (there is another hihger route straight form le Mont Dore to the Valle du Chaudefour and directed towards Besse across a much higher pass), but when it is snowing the incline gets difficult on summer tyres, without snow chains. So when driving upwards my wheel started spinning at one point (inexperienced, expected good weather, no snowchains). Fortunately I managed to take back enough to get grip again and drive slowly on and got back safe. Apart from this moment it was a beautiful ride.
When at the Cantal area, the Puy Mary pass is more difficult to predict and more important as connection. Other routes are a large detour, while in the Sancy area detours are shorter. Staying on the east or west of the Cantal of course prevents these detours, as the Puy Mary pass (I think it is called Pas de Peyrol) is the most important for east-west traffic.
The Massif du Sancy is a smaller mountain area, the Monts du Cantal is a bigger mountain area. You could stay in between (e.g. Besse or Super Besse) or visit each after one another.
The Pyrenees of course is totally different, up to 3000 mtrs.
The passes in the Pyrennees are well indicated at the beginning of the route. I think there is a website and often these thing are indicated at the local tourist information. In the Pyrennees passes may be that high that you will be in fine weather, while it's snowing up at the pass.
Have fun. Check the websites.
www. auvergne.com would bring you to the council site, but search a bit further on Auvergne. You will easily find the site of the tourist board, which again leads you to the national network of tourist board sites, for all regions.
Chamina also has a website where you can find an inventory of their guides. I hope you read a bit of French, because they are excellent walking guides.
Hi La Touche, We have got rid of the kids and are looking for a getaway from the UK Xmas hassle and noted you have plans for the Xmas period. Would appreciate details.
Hi La Touche, We have got rid of the kids and are looking for a getaway from the UK Xmas hassle and noted you have plans for the Xmas period. Would appreciate details.
Thanks Wynston
Hi Wynston
Just a quick note, as we are now on holiday ourselves in Cyprus for a couple of weeks. Prepaid booking's are coming fast for Xmas day lunch/dinner & we really only have space for 8 in the Farmhouse --- Unless we set it up in the Cathedral Barn !!!
Email us direct - with your landline number.
------------- Stuart, Jo & Louis May & Hannah due on 1st Jan' 07
Lucky you enjoying Cyprus weather as opposed to rainy, blustry UK.
Is your limitation for 8 in the Farmhouse one of a limit on accomodation or is it a limit to sit 8 for lunch/dinner? I assume your Cathedral Barn as its name implies would sit a few more than 8?
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Winter down South - Your recommendations
